375391 01: Heavyweight Boxing champion holds a tennis racket over Tennis player Bjorn Borg July 1979 in USA. Ali is one of the greatest boxers in the history of the sport. (Photo by Liaison)
Cassius Clay
27 Feb 1964: Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) flies around the ring after beating Sonny Liston in the seventh round of the World Heavyweight Title bout in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. It was during these scenes that Clay claimed, "I am the Greatest" and "I shook up the World". Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive
CLAY V LISTON
25 MAY 1965: CASSIUS CLAY OF THE UNITED STATES STANDS OVER THE PRONE FIGURE OF HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION SONNY LISTON DURING THEIR BOUT HELD IN LEWISTON, MAINE. CLAY WON THE FIGHT WITH A FIRST ROUND KNOCK-OUT TO CLAIM THE TITLE. Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive
ALI PRESS CONF
9 MAY 1966: World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) talks to television reporters after arriving at London's Heathrow airport. Behind him (l-r) promoter Harry Levine, matchmaker Micky Duff and Ali's trainer Angelo Dundee. Ali is in London to fight Henry Cooper at Arsenal's Highbury stadium on 21st May. Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive
Cassius Clay v Sonny Liston
MIAMI BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Sonny Liston looses his Heavyweight title to Classius Clay (Muhammad Ali) after seven rounds at the Miami Beach Convention Hall on February 25, 1964 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Allsport Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1966 CLAY V COOPER
23 MAY 1966: HENRY COOPER OF GREAT BRITAIN AND CASSIUS CLAY OF THE UNITED STATES IN ACTION DURING THEIR WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT. Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive
1966 CLAY V COOPER
23 MAY 1966: A BLOOD-SPATTERED HENRY COOPER OF GREAT BRITAIN AND CASSIUS CLAY OF THE UNITED STATES IN ACTION DURING THEIR WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT. Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive
Muhammad Ali
1972: Muhammad Ali during training for his fight with Al 'Blue' Lewis held in Dublin, Republic of Ireland in 1972. (Photo by Getty Images)
Champion Clay
American heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) raises his arms in victory after his world title fight against British boxer Henry Cooper. Original Publication: People Disc - HW0523 (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Clay Rests
American boxer Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) rests during training for the world heavyweight title fight against fellow American Sonny Liston at Miami Beach, Florida. Ali went on to win the match, making him world heavyweight champion for the first time. Original Publication: People Disc - HW0526 (Photo by Harry Benson/Getty Images)
Clay Listens
American boxer Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) with boxing manager Chris Dundee around the time of his World Heavyweight Boxing Championship fight against fellow American Sonny Liston at Miami Beach, Florida. Ali went on to win the match, securing his first world heavyweight title. (Photo by Harry Benson/Getty Images)
Cassius Training
American boxer Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) trains for his World Heavyweight Boxing Championship fight against fellow American Sonny Liston at Miami Beach, Florida. Original Publication: People Disc - HW0519 (Photo by Harry Benson/Getty Images)
Five Rounds Ali
US boxer Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) and British boxer Henry Cooper weigh-in on the stage of the Palladium for their heavyweight match at Wembley Stadium, London. Ali holds up five fingers to indicate that he will beat Cooper in five rounds, a prediction that proved to be correct. Left to right: Cooper's manager Jim Wicks, Cooper, Clay and promoter Jack Solomons. Original Publication: People Disc - HW0539 (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Ali And Dundee
American boxer Muhammad Ali, the world heavyweight champion, has his hands bandaged by his manager Angelo Dundee before the day's training session at the Territorial Army Gymnasium at White City, London. Ali is in training for his fight against the British champion Henry Cooper at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium, London on May 21st. Original Publication: People Disc - HW0538 (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Cassius Clay
Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) being restrained by his seconds as he rushes across the ring after his world heavyweight title fight victory over Sonny Liston, yelling to the ringside reporters 'eat your words'. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Clay Floored
Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali), world heavyweight champion, is floored by British boxer heavyweight champion Henry Cooper during their fight at Wembley Stadium. Despite this setback Clay went on to win, but it was the first time he had ever been floored. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Ali In Training
American heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali throws bare-handed punches in the ring while in training for his fight against Brian London, London, England, August 1966. (Photo by R. McPhedran/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali
The world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali in a London street. Original Publication: People Disc - HW0515 (Photo by Aubrey Hart/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali
The American boxer Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay), who first became world heavyweight champion in 1964. (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)
Medal Winners
The winners of the 1960 Olympic medals for light heavyweight boxing on the winners' podium at Rome: Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) (C), gold; Zbigniew Pietrzykowski of Poland (R), silver; and Giulio Saraudi (Italy) and Anthony Madigan (Australia), joint bronze. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali
August 1966: US boxer Muhammad Ali in training for a match against Brian London. (Photo by R McPhedran/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali
1966: American boxer and world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali signs an autograph for one of his fans. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Ali Vs Patterson
Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) spars with challenger Floyd Patterson during the World Heavyweight Championship fight. Clay won the fight with a technical knockout in the 12th round. 25th November 1965. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Boxing Match
18th June 1963: American heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay fighting Henry Cooper at Wembley. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali
4th August 1966: American boxer Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jnr in training for his upcoming fight against Brian London. London lost the fight, after being knocked out in the third round. (Photo by R. McPhedran/Express/Getty Images)
The Greatest
16th May 1966: World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, in a training session at the Territorial Army Gymnasium at White City, London. Ali is in training for his fight against the British champion Henry Cooper at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium, London on May 21st. (Photo by R. McPhedran/Express/Getty Images)
The Greatest
17th May 1966: World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, in a training session at the Territorial Army Gymnasium at White City, London. Ali is in training for his fight against the British champion Henry Cooper at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium, London on May 21st. (Photo by R. McPhedran/Express/Getty Images)
The Greatest
World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, has his hands bandaged by his manager Angelo Dundee (1921 - 2012, right) before the day's training session at the Territorial Army Gymnasium at White City, London, 16th May 1966. On the left is Jack 'George' Achilles, head chef of Isow’s, a restaurant in Brewer Street, Soho, favoured by celebrities including Ali, and his entourage. Ali is in training for his fight against the British champion Henry Cooper at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium, London on May 21st. (Photo by R. McPhedran/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Greatest
15th May 1966: World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali at 34 Tavistock Crescent in Notting Hill, London. On his right is Rhaune Laslett, who was instrumental in organising the Notting Hill Carnival, and whose house this is. On the left, with a camera, is Ali's photographer Howard Bingham. (Photo by R. McPhedran/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
In The Ring
1966: American boxer Cassius Clay, later Muhammad Ali, in the ring. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali
29th November 1974: American boxer Muhammad Ali, formerly Cassius Clay, strikes an aggressive pose at a press conference. (Photo by Harry Dempster/Express/Getty Images)
Watching For Once
30th May 1963: American Heavyweight boxer, Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), watching a boxing match in London. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)
Before The Fight
14th June 1963: American boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) before his World Heavyweight Title fight against Britain's Henry Cooper. (Photo by Norman Quicke/Express/Getty Images)
Give Me Five
27th May 1963: American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) lying on his hotel bed in London. He holds up five fingers in a prediction of how many rounds it will take him to knock out British boxer Henry Cooper. (Photo by Len Trievnor/Express/Getty Images)
The Greatest
Headshot of American boxer Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay, during a training session, May 17, 1966. (Photo by R. McPhedran/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Ali In London
9th May 1966: US boxer Cassius Clay at his West End Hotel during his stay in London to fight Henry Cooper. (Photo by B. Potter/Express/Getty Images)
Boxer vs Wrestler
26th June 1976: Heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali fighting the champion Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki at Budokan Hall in Tokyo. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Ali's Girls
19th December 1978: Heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali with his daughters Laila (9 months) and Hanna (2years 5 months) at Grosvenor House. (Photo by Frank Tewkesbury/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Boxing Beatles
22nd February 1964: British pop group The Beatles, from left to right; Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), George Harrison (1943 - 2001) and Paul McCartney; in the ring with champion American boxer Cassius Clay, whilst in Miami. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Clay's Belt
February 1964: Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) posing with his belt in front of a sign 'Allah is the Greatest', in his apartment in Miami before his title fight with Sonny Liston for the World Heavyweight Championship. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Ali And Wife
circa 1978: Muhammad Ali and his wife Veronica at Heathrow Airport. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Clay And The Beatles
February 1964: American heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay poses in the ring in mock victory over British pop group The Beatles, meeting the press in New York during an American tour. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali Waves
1966: US boxer Muhammad Ali, current heavyweight champion, waves on the steps going up to an aeroplane at London Airport. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali
6th August 1966: World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali shakes hands with British boxer Brian London as they weighed in for their title fight at Earl's Court, London. The weigh in took place at the Odeon cinema in Leicester Square. (Photo by Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images)
Clay V Liston
25th February 1964: American boxer Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, landing a right to Sonny Liston's body during the World Heavyweight Championship fight at Miami Beach Convention Hall, USA. Liston went on to retire from the fight and surrender his title after six rounds. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Cassius Clay
19th June 1963: Cassius Clay sitting on luggage gesturing. He is in England to fight Henry Cooper at Wembley which he won in the fifth round. (Photo by William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Cassius Clay
25th February 1964: American boxer Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in the ring after his defeat of Sonny Liston in their world heavyweight title fight at Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Getty Images)
Confident Clay
25th February 1964: American boxer Cassius Clay (left), later Muhammad Ali, in action against Sonny Liston during their heavyweight title fight at Miami Beach, Florida. Clay won the contest, becoming world champion, when Liston failed to come out at the start of the seventh round. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Getty Images)
Ali Liston Miami
25th February 1964: American boxer Cassius Clay (left), later Muhammad Ali, in action against Sonny Liston during their heavyweight title fight at Miami Beach, Florida. Clay won the contest, becoming world champion, when Liston failed to come out at the start of the seventh round. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Getty Images)
Clay Relaxing
25th February 1964: American boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) relaxing after his world heavyweight victory over Sonny Liston. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Getty Images)
Jubilant Clay
25th February 1964: American boxer Cassius Clay, later Muhammad Ali, celebrates his win over Sonny Liston in their heavyweight title fight at Miami Beach, Florida. Clay won the contest, becoming world champion for the first time, when Liston failed to come out at the start of the seventh round. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Getty Images)
The Clay Brothers
21st June 1963: American heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) with his brother Rudolph (later Rahman Ali). (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Ali And Cooper
May 1966: World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali of the USA and British contender Henry Cooper pose for the press with promoter Harry Levene, right, before their world heavyweight title fight in London. (Photo by Aubrey Hart/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Clay Weighs In
18th June 1963: US boxer Cassius Clay and British boxer Henry Cooper weigh-in on the stage of the Palladium for their heavyweight match at Wembley Stadium, London. Clay holds up five fingers to indicate that he will beat Cooper in five rounds, a prediction that proved to be correct. Left to right: promoter Jack Solomons, Cooper, Clay and Cooper's manager Jim Wicks. (Photo by Moore/Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali
9th December 1974: American heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali with British champion John Conteh. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Clay Predicts Five
27th May 1963: Supremely confident American boxer Cassius Clay holds up five fingers in a prediction of how many rounds it will take him to knock out British boxer Henry Cooper. (Photo by Kent Gavin/Keystone/Getty Images)
Cassius Clay
4th June 1963: American heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay in a one round non-title fight with 6 year old Patrick Power. Young Patrick is taking boxing lessons in order to combat bullies at home. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali
Heavyweight boxing champion Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), with his wife, 21st June 1963. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Ali In Hyde Park
American heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali is greeted by two police officers in Hyde Park, London, during the boxer's early morning run, August 1977. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali
American boxer Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in the ring after defeating Sonny Liston in their world heavyweight title fight at Miami Beach, Florida, 25th February 1964. (Photo by Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali v George Foreman
KINSHASA, CONGO - OCTOBER 30: A general view of "The Match of the Century " between the former world heavyweight boxing champion the American Muhammad Ali (R) and his compatriot and titleholder George Foreman (L). Ali won and got back his title October 30, 1974 in Kinshasa, Congo. (Photo by: AFP/Getty Images)
Clay In Bed
American boxer Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) in bed in his hotel room, 15th February 1967. (Photo by Harry Benson/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Ali In London
American boxer Muhammad Ali looks out over London from the top of the Post Office Tower, 25th July 1966. Ali is in Britain to defend his World Heavyweight title against Brian London. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Cooper And Clay
British Heavyweight champion Henry Cooper (1934 - 2011, left) with American boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) after their non-title fight at Wembley Stadium, London, 18th June 1963. Clay won the match by a technical knockout after Cooper sustained a cut under his left eye. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Wonders Of The World
Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali riding a horse near the Sphinx and the pyramids at Giza, Egypt, 1964. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
BIO MUHAMMAD ALI-FOREMAN
Le boxeur américain Mohamed Ali (Cassius Clay) triomphe et devient champion du monde de boxe des poids lourds le 30 octobre 1974 à Kinshasa à l'issu du combat qui l'opposait au tenant du titre George Foreman.
Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) (L) raises his arms as he just won the title of heavyweight boxing champion against his compatriot and titlehoder George Foreman (R) in Kinshasa October 30 1974. (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
BIO MUHAMMAD ALI-CASSIUS CLAY
Photo datée du 4 mars 1976 du champion du monde de boxe des poids lourds Mohamed Ali (Cassius Clay) lors de son séjour à Paris à l'occasion de la signature de son livre "Le plus grand" retraçant sa carrière, écrit en collaboration avec R. Durham.
A headshot dated March 04 1976 of the heavyweight boxing world champion Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) during a press conference in Paris about his book "The Greatest". (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
BIO MUHAMMAD ALI-CASSIUS CLAY-FRAZIER
A picture taken March 08 1971 in New York at the Madison Square Garden of the heavyweight boxing world championship fight between Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) (on the floor) and Joe Fazier at the end of which Frazier kept his title of heavyweight boxing world champion. (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
MUHAMMAD ALI-ZORA FOLLEY-FIGHT
World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (R) looks at Zora Folley (C) on March 23, 1967 in New York during their world heavyweight championship match, as the referee counts. Ali won by knocking out Folley in the seventh round. (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
MUHAMMAD ALI-GEORGE FOREMAN-FIGHT
Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (L) and titleholder US George Foreman (R) fight on October 30, 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire during their world heavyweight championship match. Ali won by knocking out Foreman in the eighth round. (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
BOX-DRCONGO-ALI-FOREMAN-RUMBLE
In this photo taken on October 27, 1974 US boxing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay) gestures during a press conference three days before the heavy weight world championship in Kinshasa. On October 30, 1974 Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in a clash of titans known as the "Rumble in the Jungle", watched by 60 000 people in the stadium in Kinshasa and millions elsewhere. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
BOX-DRCONGO-ALI-FOREMAN-RUMBLE
TO GO WITH AFP STORIES
In this photo taken on October 19, 1974 shows US boxing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (L) (born Cassius Clay) 11 days before the heavy weight world championship in Kinshasa. On October 30, 1974 Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in a clash of titans known as the "Rumble in the Jungle", watched by 60 000 people in the stadium in Kinshasa and millions elsewhere. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)
BOX-DRCONGO-ALI-FOREMAN-RUMBLE
In this photo taken on October 30, 1974 shows the fight between US boxing heavyweight champions, Muhammad Ali (L) (born Cassius Clay) and George Foreman in Kinshasa. On October 30, 1974 Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in a clash of titans known as the "Rumble in the Jungle", watched by 60 000 people in the stadium in Kinshasa and millions elsewhere. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
BOX-DRCONGO-ALI-FOREMAN-RUMBLE
In this photo taken on October 19, 1974 shows US boxing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (C) (born Cassius Clay) is escoted at his training center 11 days before the heavyweight world championship in Kinshasa. On October 30, 1974 Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in a clash of titans known as the "Rumble in the Jungle", watched by 60 000 people in the stadium in Kinshasa and millions elsewhere. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
BOX-DRCONGO-ALI-FOREMAN-RUMBLE
TO GO WITH AFP STORIES
In this photo taken on October 30, 1974 shows US boxing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (C) (born Cassius Clay) during a press conference after the heavyweight world championship in Kinshasa. On October 30, 1974 Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in a clash of titans known as the "Rumble in the Jungle", watched by 60 000 people in the stadium in Kinshasa and millions elsewhere AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
BOXING-DRCONGO-ALI-FOREMAN
In this photo taken on October 27, 1974 US boxing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay) stands with her mother Odessa Grady Clay during a training session three days before the heavy weight world championship in Kinshasa. TOn October 30, 1974 Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in a clash of titans known as the "Rumble in the Jungle", watched by 60 000 people in the stadium in Kinshasa and millions elsewhere. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Muhammad Ali In London
World heavyweight boxing champion Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) signs autographs during a visit to the London Free School children's play group and families' group at 34 Tavistock Crescent, the home of Rhaune Laslett in Notting Hill, London, 15th May 1966. The group was later known as the Neighbourhood Service. The boy in the foreground is Nigel Carpenter. Clay is in London for his upcoming title defence against British champion Henry Cooper. (Photo by R. McPhedran/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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